Distributor/Timing questions?
 

When it comes to setting up the distributor for proper timing, I am green. So I hope that some of you can assist me.

I’ve already read the Pelican Parts timing article, which was helpful.

I understand Cylinder #1 has to be at TDC and the rotor must point to spark plug wire one. I also understand that there is a mark on the distributor, under the Cap, for plug wire #1.

This is what I don’t understand. The Cap isn’t marked with wire numbers, so how do you determine what wire goes where after you figure out wire #1? (Please describe in detail).

The vacuum canister has two ports, one on the front and one on the backside. What do these connect to? If I want to test the vacuum canister, how do I go about accomplishing this? I have a vacuum-testing gauge, how much pressure?

Thanks

Number one is back left if you are standing behind the car. It should go this way:

front
3 6
2 5
1 4
O
back

Get a good timing light and it should be pretty easy.

Rich

It's not clear what you are trying to do. Are you re-installing the distributor, or are you just trying to check timing? Do you need to figure out how to connect each ignition wire?

Once you've got the distributor in and have identified wire #1, the rest of wires are connected per the firing order in a counter clockwise direction from #1. There should be a placard in your engine component that shows the firing order. Or somebody on this board will know it off the top of their head.

I've never seen specs for amount of advance/retard per amount of vacuum. With a timing light, you should at least be able to see if they have any effect, and determine which one is advance and which is retard.

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Bill Krause
'79 911SC Euro

I’m actually installing a distributor on a car that had a distributorless ignition, so I’m starting from scratch. I am in the process of converting the car back to its original state.

Thanks for the plug wire information, that helps.

I still need to test that the vacuum canister is working. I thought I could hook up my MightyVac to test it. But I need to know what port does what and how much pressure I should apply.